Gold-labelled nanoplastics models: Synthesis, detection, and quantification by SP-ICP-MS in Daphnia magna
Abstract
The detection and quantification of nanoplastics (NPLs) in complex matrices remain a major analytical challenge. In this study, gold-labelled NPLs consisting of a gold nanoparticle core covered by a polystyrene (PS) shell were designed, enabling sensitive quantification by single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). Optimized conditions yielded NPLs containing one single gold nanoparticle per NPL and exhibiting surface functionalization. These NPLs fulfill key criteria for realistic NPLs models, combining: the use of an environmentally relevant polymer (PS), the exact control over their chemical composition, a density comparable to that of native PS particles despite gold-labelling, and a strong traceability. The strategy applied here demonstrates unprecedented sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 2.8 x 105 NPL L−1 (0.21 ng of NPLs), enabling detection of environmentally realistic concentrations. The method validation performed with NPLs-spiked Daphnia magna achieved recovery rates close to 100%. Exposure experiments revealed a dose-dependent ingestion of NPLs, up to 8.5 x 105 particles/daphnid (64 ng of NPLs) after 48 h. This study combines gold-labelling, precise chemical control, and environmental relevance to enable accurate NPLs quantification in organisms at low, realistic concentrations, paving the way for robust ecotoxicological assessments.
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BibTeX
@article{miguel2026goldlabelled,
title = {{Gold-labelled nanoplastics models: Synthesis, detection, and quantification by SP-ICP-MS in Daphnia magna}},
author = {Sophie Miguel and Lea Spitzer and Antoine Aynard and Javier Jiménez Lamana and Séverine Le Faucheur and Virginie Pellerin and Bruno Grassl and Stéphanie Reynaud},
journal = {Journal of Hazardous Materials},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142924},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05757638v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gold-labelled nanoplastics models: Synthesis, detection, and quantification by SP-ICP-MS in Daphnia magna
AU - Sophie Miguel
AU - Lea Spitzer
AU - Antoine Aynard
AU - Javier Jiménez Lamana
AU - Séverine Le Faucheur
AU - Virginie Pellerin
AU - Bruno Grassl
AU - Stéphanie Reynaud
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
JO - Journal of Hazardous Materials
DO - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142924
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05757638v1
AB - The detection and quantification of nanoplastics (NPLs) in complex matrices remain a major analytical challenge. In this study, gold-labelled NPLs consisting of a gold nanoparticle core covered by a polystyrene (PS) shell were designed, enabling sensitive quantification by single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). Optimized conditions yielded NPLs containing one single gold nanoparticle per NPL and exhibiting surface functionalization. These NPLs fulfill key criteria for realistic NPLs models, combining: the use of an environmentally relevant polymer (PS), the exact control over their chemical composition, a density comparable to that of native PS particles despite gold-labelling, and a strong traceability. The strategy applied here demonstrates unprecedented sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 2.8 x 105 NPL L−1 (0.21 ng of NPLs), enabling detection of environmentally realistic concentrations. The method validation performed with NPLs-spiked Daphnia magna achieved recovery rates close to 100%. Exposure experiments revealed a dose-dependent ingestion of NPLs, up to 8.5 x 105 particles/daphnid (64 ng of NPLs) after 48 h. This study combines gold-labelling, precise chemical control, and environmental relevance to enable accurate NPLs quantification in organisms at low, realistic concentrations, paving the way for robust ecotoxicological assessments.
SN - 0304-3894
SN - 1873-3336
ER -